Sleepless nights are driving homeowners barking mad

HOMEOWNERS are howling after suffering sleepless nights and interrupted mornings because of barking dogs locked behind council bars.

HOMEOWNERS are howling after suffering sleepless nights and interrupted mornings because of barking dogs locked behind council bars.

Recent redevelopment of the Urangan pound has seen the number of animals the facility can house increase from 11 to 52.

Since the pound and refuge resumed full operations the people living within earshot have complained of relentless barking and howling both day and night.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council is aware of the problem and says it is working to fix it.

Annette Mann-Carthey lives near the Cicada Lane facility and said she felt for the poor pooches.

But she said the noise began only recently and questioned what triggered it.

"Something has changed," Ms Mann-Carthey told the Chronicle.

"They are howling at about two in the morning quite badly.

"But we've lived in the house for about eight years and this is the first time we've heard them, so whether something has changed up there I don't know.

"…a few weeks ago it was really, really bad. My husband and myself got up and said, 'Oh, my God, what is going on?'.

"But yeah, that was a few weeks ago - they were howling over (a recent) weekend but this is the first time we have really heard them."

Division 7 councillor Darren Everard said work to reduce the noise was already under way, so residents could soon wave goodbye to sleepless nights.

He said more wss planned to further insulate the enclosures.

"Solutions have been implemented including bricking up the walls of the refuge enclosures," Cr Everard said.

"The idea is to stop the dogs barking at each other.

"The refuge volunteers are also taking steps to rotate the animals through foster homes more regularly so the dogs spend less time in the facility.

"And on May 26 a contractor will start installing an acoustic fence and exercise area."

He said the facility now operated as a refuge and pound, with the refuge facility open from 10am-3pm each day.

Animals deemed suitable for rehoming were given to the refuge from the pound.

Since September 2013, 71 pound animals have been given to the refuge to be rehomed.